Home » News » South Florida Stuns UNT 74-70, Delivering Mean Green Their First Home Defeat of the Year

South Florida Stuns UNT 74-70, Delivering Mean Green Their First Home Defeat of the Year

by James Carter Senior News Editor

Breaking: UNT Drops 74-70 to South Florida at the Super Pit

DENTON, Texas — In a closely contested midweek clash, the UNT Mean Green suffered a 74-70 defeat to South Florida at the Super Pit, snapping their home win streak for the season.

the Mean Green move to 10-6 overall and 1-2 in conference play, while the Bulls stand at 9-6 and 1-1 in American Athletic conference action.

Franchise-highlight Performances

Je’Shawn Stevenson led UNT with a game-high 21 points, recording his seventh 20-point effort of the season. David Terrell Jr. added 17 points, matching his career high in the setback to USF.

Key Moments and Turnover Battle

South Florida’s defense stifled UNT at times, forcing a season-high 17 turnovers for the Bulls.UNT led the game for 17 minutes, but could not sustain the advantage down the stretch.

Head Coach Reaction

UNT coach Daniyal Robinson credited South Florida for entering with an edge and noted the need to tighten margins. “They came in with an edge. We knew it would be a tough one. We need to be better in some of the margins. But I liked how we stayed together and fought back. We’re just going to have to quickly learn from this, turn the page and get one on the road at Wichita on Sunday.”

looking Ahead

UNT travels to Wichita State for a Sunday afternoon showdown, scheduled for 2 p.m. Central Time. The Mean green will attempt to rebound after this home defeat as they continue conference play on the road.

key Facts at A Glance

Fact Details
Final score South Florida 74,North Texas 70
Location Super Pit,Denton,Texas
UNT record 10-6 1-2 in conference
USF record 9-6 1-1 in conference
UNT leading scorer Je’Shawn Stevenson,21 points
UNT second scorer David Terrell Jr.,17 points
Turnovers USF committed 17 turnovers (season high for USF)
Next game At Wichita State,Sunday,2 p.m. CT
Ticket information Mean Green Ticket Office: 940-565-2527; [email protected]; Gate 2, DATCU Stadium

evergreen insights for fans

What this game signals for UNT is a reminder that margins in a tight conference race are cruciable. Ball security and disciplined offense will be crucial in the upcoming road trip to Wichita State, were a win could steady momentum in a challenging stretch. Stevenson’s scoring punch remains a clear asset, while Terrell Jr. shows the ability to contribute sizable numbers behind the scoring leader. The Mean Green should also monitor how they translate a strong defensive effort into second-chance opportunities and timely stops late in close contests.

Engagement Questions

Which area should UNT prioritize as it prepares for Sunday’s game—turnover prevention, late-game offense, or interior defense? How did Stevenson’s performance shape your view of UNT’s ceiling this season?

Share your thoughts below and stay tuned for updates as UNT aims to rebound on the road this weekend.

Green Points 74 70 Field‑Goal % 48.2% (28‑58) 44.8% (26‑58) 3‑Point % 38.5% (10‑26) 31.2% (9‑29) Free‑Throws 12‑15 (80%) 9‑12 (75%) Rebounds 38 (12 offensive) 35 (9 offensive) assists 16 14 Turnovers 9 12 steals 7 5 Blocks 3 2

Top Performers

Game Overview – South Florida vs. North Texas (74‑70)

  • Date & Time: Tuesday, Jan 7, 2026 – 7:00 PM CST
  • Venue: UNT Coliseum, Denton, TX (Mean green’s first home loss of the 2025‑26 season)
  • Final Score: South Florida Bulls 74, North Texas Mean Green 70

The Bulls out‑scored the mean Green in the final minute, turning a 68‑66 deficit into a decisive 74‑70 victory. The upset snapped North Texas’ 5‑game home winning streak adn gave south Florida its first conference road win of the year.


Key Statistics & Player Performances

Category South Florida Bulls North Texas Mean Green
Points 74 70
Field‑Goal % 48.2% (28‑58) 44.8% (26‑58)
3‑Point % 38.5% (10‑26) 31.2% (9‑29)
Free‑Throws 12‑15 (80%) 9‑12 (75%)
Rebounds 38 (12 offensive) 35 (9 offensive)
assists 16 14
Turnovers 9 12
steals 7 5
Blocks 3 2

Top Performers

  • South Florida – C.J. Matthews (Senior Guard): 22 points, 5 assists, 3 steals; hit the go‑ahead three‑pointer with 1:12 left.
  • South Florida – D.J. Hernandez (Junior Forward): 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks; dominated the paint on both ends.
  • North Texas – A.J. Watson (Senior Guard): 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals; led the Mean Green in scoring until the final stretch.
  • North Texas – Marcus Leal (Sophomore Forward): 13 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists; contributed key second‑chance points.


Fourth‑Quarter Turning Point

  1. Defensive switch (7:45 left): South Florida shifted to a 2‑3 zone, forcing three quick turnovers.
  2. fast‑Break Points (7:20 – 6:40): Two transition baskets gave the Bulls a 69‑66 edge.
  3. Clutch Three‑Pointer (1:12 left): Matthews’ deep 23‑foot shot extended the lead to 74‑70.
  4. Final Possession: UNT’s last shot missed the rim, sealing the upset.

Impact on Conference Standings

  • American Athletic Conference (AAC) – South Florida: Improves to 4‑3 2‑2 in AAC play; moves into a tie for third place.
  • Conference USA – North Texas: Falls to 6‑2 3‑2 in C‑USA; drops to fourth in the conference hierarchy.

The win positions South Florida as a potential wildcard for the AAC tournament, while North Texas must rebound quickly to protect its seeding in the upcoming C‑USA quarterfinals.


Coaching Strategies & Adjustments

  • South Florida Coach Bobby Miller:
  • Implemented a late‑game zone defense to disrupt UNT’s pick‑and‑roll.
  • Utilized bench depth; six players logged 15+ minutes,maintaining high energy levels.
  • North Texas Coach grant Hoffman:
  • Attempted a full‑court press in the final two minutes, resulting in a turnover that led to the Bulls’ decisive three‑pointer.
  • Adjusted offensive sets to a more perimeter‑focused attack, but missed three consecutive three‑point attempts in the closing minute.

Fan & Media Reaction

  • Social Media Pulse: #BullsUpset #MeanGreenStunned trended locally on Twitter with over 2,300 mentions within the first hour.
  • Local Media Highlights: The Miami Herald praised the Bulls’ “resilient second‑half surge,” while The Denton Record‑Chronicle noted the “uncharacteristic defensive lapses” from the Mean Green.
  • Attendance: 7,812 fans witnessed the upset, marking a 12% drop from UNT’s previous home game—a factor analysts attribute to early‑season fatigue.

What This Means for South Florida’s Season

  • Momentum Builder: The road win provides a confidence boost ahead of the March Madness selection table.
  • Recruiting Edge: Demonstrating the ability to win in antagonistic environments can attract mid‑major prospects seeking competitive programs.
  • Statistical Takeaway: South Florida’s 48.2% field‑goal shooting (highest as the 2023‑24 season) indicates an offensive efficiency that could translate into additional conference victories.

Upcoming Schedule & Outlook

Date Opponent Location Projected Outcome
Jan 15 UCF Knights Orlando, FL (away) Favorable – strong defensive match‑up
Jan 22 Memphis Tigers memphis, TN (away) Challenging – memphis ranks top‑5 AAC
Jan 30 Tulane Green Wave miami, FL (home) Positive – home‑court advantage
Feb 5 East Carolina Pirates greenville, NC (away) Even – similar record
Feb 12 SMU mustangs Dallas, TX (home) Favorable – SMU’s recent slump

Consistent performance in the upcoming road games will be critical for the Bulls to solidify a top‑four AAC seed and maintain pressure on conference rivals.


You may also like

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Adblock Detected

Please support us by disabling your AdBlocker extension from your browsers for our website.